monty’s idea

Fifteen minutes of digging here, twenty minutes of weeding there. A wee bit done on one day, then the next, then the next. All this time builds up and seems to get some sort of a job done. The main vegetable patch has been cleared and a compost bin squeezed to capacity with buttercup, chickweed and nettles. Sometimes my hands were stung all over from the nettles. Sometimes flurries of yellow and gold leaves would burst from the old beech tree. Sometimes my back would ache and burn. Sometimes hundreds of rooks would spiral and twist on the wind over my head.

The postman brought a little bag of manure in the mail today. This manure will take time to prepare itself and the soil it will live in. This was Monty Don’s idea, not mine. I cast the seeds according to the instructions. It said that protection from mice and birds may be required. I looked the cats and gave them a stern look; earn your keep.

The rain, wind, seeds, soil and cat were all left to sort themselves out. All but the raised beds; they are thick with green weeds and another packet of seeds is waiting.